Mr Julian Ward > Lee & Thompson LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Lee & Thompson LLP
80 Charlotte Street
LONDON
W1T 4DF
England

Work Department

Digital & Technology

Position

Julian is Head of Lee & Thompson’s Digital & Technology Group – a digital media, IP and technology lawyer with over 17 years’ experience working across the creative industries advising clients on all matters relating to digital content, interactive entertainment and digital publishing.

Julian provides specialist advice across multi-media platforms and all forms of media content with a particular focus on the development and publication of videogames, software applications and websites;  all elements relating to the licensing and distribution of online content; e-commerce and digital retail; online platforms, distribution and broadcasting (DTO, VOD, OTT); the technology architecture underpinning digital platforms; online advertising and marketing (including online partnerships, co-branding and affiliate deals);  rights management and clearance, personality rights, e-sports, betting and gambling compliance; social media publishing, the monetisation of digital content and all areas of data protection, privacy and cyber-security.

Before joining Lee & Thompson in May 2017, Julian was Head of Digital Media at Hamlins having previously spent over a decade as in-house counsel to leading media and technology companies, including BBC World Wide as Head of Business & Legal Affairs for Digital Retail and Games, and leading video games developer and publisher Codemasters as Head of Legal.

Known for his in-depth industry insight and commercial approach, Julian prides himself on his open and collaborative way of working.  He is particularly skilled at working with businesses to craft and deliver commercial and novel business models and strategies – particularly where digital aspects converge and disrupt the status quo.

Lawyer Rankings

London > TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Media: Video games

Lee & Thompson LLP has an extensive client roster comprising of UK and international game developers, publishers, platforms and creative individuals. With digital, IP and tech expert Julian Ward at the helm, the team is well-placed to advise on music licensing arrangements in the Metaverse, video game development and publishing transactions, M&A deals and IP rights. The group often draws on the firm’s broader media finance expertise, as well as from members within its corporate, commercial, employment, data protection, IP and dispute resolution teams.